Sara A Van Horne

Sara Ann Valenti Van Horne of Tenafly, NJ, died peacefully on December 18, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. One afternoon as she was slipping away, four generations of Van Hornes held hands praying and surrounding Mom, just the kind of gathering she loved. Later, at the moment of her death she was in the presence of her first grandchild, and namesake, Sara Swift.

Family was Mom's reason for being. She was the loving and devoted wife of Jack Van Horne for 64 years. They married at Mt. Carmel Church in 1949, following her graduation from Green Mountain College. The day after the wedding they took off for Atlanta, GA where mom worked for Emory university until Ellen's birth. In 1952 they moved to south Jersey where Jack and Beth were born. Eventually they settled into life on Highwood Ave. in Tenafly where she lived for 60 years. Together with our dad she raised us with the greatest love and encouragement, and is the definition of a wonderful mother.

Mom was also a role model of a hardworking and community minded parent. In addition to helping her own aging parents who lived in Tenafly, she was a long term substitute teacher in town , a sales rep for Prentice Hall; a Girl Scout leader; president of Mt. Carmel Mothers' Guild; co- founder of the Tenafly Football Booster Club; member of the Tenafly Mental Health commission; worked for the 1990 Census; and was a member of the Womens' Drama Club, to name a few. She attended Mass weekly all her adult life. And for relaxation, she took every opportunity to pack up and go to the beach!

Sara was lucky enough to cherish nine grandchildren. As they grew older she stayed in continuous touch with phone calls and then with the "miraculous" FaceTime! And let's not forget text messaging, complete with butterfly emojis. No matter how far or near, Gram was a constant loving and guiding presence in their lives. She created a special bond with each of them, and they knew it. The last ten years included the arrival of fourteen great grandchildren and as "Gigi"she loved each one.
Mom is survived by her children: Ellen and Ray Nichols, Jack and Mollie Van Horne, and Beth Nelson, wife of the late Bert Nelson.
Grandchildren:
Sara and Rob Swift, Emily and Dave Marson; Whitney and Joah Peck, Mallary and Clinton O'Brien, Casey and Locke Jillson, Abbey and Jack Kuntz, Jack Van Horne and Meg Sweeney; Jennifer Johnston Nelson and Matt Johnston, Alexis Nelson; Katie and Rich Biby, Erik Nelson, Jonathan Nelson and Christina Faust.
Great grandchildren:
Bryden and Joey Swift; Orion and Archer Marson; Delaney, Berkley, Finley and Addison Peck; James and Casey O'Brien; Maureen and Locke Jr. Jillson; Ellison and Tripp Kuntz; and Hazel Johnston Nelson.
She is also survived by her sister Mary Robinsky and devoted nieces and nephews.
Sara was pre deceased by her ever-loving husband Jack (2014); son-in-law Bert Nelson; parents Tony and Lena Valenti; brothers Peter Valenti and Joseph Valenti; her lifetime of cats Pinky, Tracy, Trevor,Pita and Blackie; and many dear friends and neighbors. What a reunion it must be!

Thank you to the special Visiting Angels' caregivers who worked so hard to make mom's last years comfortable.

A memorial mass at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel will be held Sunday, March 8, 2026, at 2 pm. With a reception to follow.